Peace and Freedom Committee

10/07/2026

MLK BREAKFAST CONTEST INFORMATION!

The Peace and Freedom Committee is excited to announce all the details for our 2027 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast Contests!

2027 Theme:
“AS A STUDENT OF DR. KING’S LIFE, WHAT MESSAGE OF HOPE WOULD
HE HAVE FOR THE WORLD TODAY?”

We are honored to announce our 2027 MLK Breakfast Speaker:
Award Winning Author Jacqueline Woodson!

📚 Contest Information:
🖼️ Art, Poetry & Essay Entries
📅 Due: DECEMBER 4, 2026
🕓 Time: By 4:00 PM @ The Marion Public Library

🎤 Speech Contest Date is different this year!!!
📅 DECEMBER 12, 2026
🕚 Starts at 11:00 AM (Registration begins at 10:30 AM @ The Marion Public Library)

📄 Applications:
Available for pickup at Marion Public Library

Or

PDF Printable File: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G995teSl-8D_oVOYWHbbTPEifKlHuS-x/view?usp=drivesdk

📸 Please see the attached photos for full contest details.

Let’s conclude the final PFC Contest with more applicants than ever so we can honor Dr. King’s legacy and inspire our youth to continue to lead, create, and speak with purpose.

10/06/2026

For more than two decades, The Peace and Freedom Committee has had the honor of bringing our community together to celebrate the life, legacy, and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Now, as The Peace and Freedom Committee prepares to conclude its journey, we invite you to join us for a very special FINAL PFC MLK BREAKFAST CELEBRATION!

Monday, January 18, 2027
8:45 AM
Historic Palace Theatre-May Pavilion
276 W. Center Street, Marion, OH 43302

We are honored to welcome award-winning author Jacqueline Woodson as our guest speaker. Her powerful voice and extraordinary body of work will make this a morning to remember.

This breakfast is more than an event-it is a celebration of our history, our community, our children, our accomplishments, and the many people who helped make The Peace and Freedom Committee what it has been.

As we gather together, let’s fill the room with love, gratitude, memories, and hope for the future.

TICKETS: $30 each -PRE-SALE ONLY. There are 3 ways to purchase tickets.
1. Scan the QR code on the flyer.
2. Click the link to purchase: https://square.link/u/2okpetvl
3. Contact Lora Troutman for tickets (740) 360-5975

Award Ceremony to follow the breakfast.

To everyone who has supported us, volunteered, attended our programs, donated, encouraged us, and believed in the mission-THANK YOU!


Come celebrate with us. Come remember with us. Come be part of history.


Sincerely,
The Peace and Freedom Committee

Celebrating the dream. Inspiring the future. Leaving a legacy…

08/05/2026

Important Message From The Peace and Freedom Committee

The Peace and Freedom Committee
790 Kenton Avenue * PO Box 995
Marion, OH 43301
[email protected]

August 4, 2026
Community Announcement:

Dear Friends, Supporters, and Community Members,

After much thoughtful consideration, The Peace and Freedom Committee Board of Directors and its members have made the difficult decision to dissolve The Peace and Freedom Committee organization, effective following the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Breakfast Celebration January 18, 2027.

For twenty years, we have been honored to serve Marion and surrounding areas through our mission to promote racial equity by empowering, educating, and fostering understanding of the diverse cultures, backgrounds, and experiences within Marion to build stronger, thriving communities and relationships. This work has been sustained entirely by 10-12 dedicated volunteers. In recent years, however, it has become increasingly difficult to recruit members able to commit the time required to operate the organization at the level the community has come to expect.

Rather than allow the quality of our programming to decline gradually, The Peace and Freedom Committee has made the thoughtful decision to conclude our work following the 2027 MLK Day Breakfast and Youth Oratory / Art Contest.

It is our hope that another Marion organization will continue the spirit of community our 20 years of celebrating the legacy of Dr. King has created. Whether this is by continuing the Breakfast and Youth Oratory / Art Contest or through another method, this celebration is important to Marion.

We are deeply grateful to the Marion Community Foundation, Pillar Credit Union, United Way of North Central Ohio, Dennis & Sara Trachsel Foundation, OhioHealth Marion, United Church Homes Marion, Marion Rotary Club, Fahey Bank, Altrusa, Logos Christian Ministries, Marion Public Library, Mike Zucker, Knights of Columbus Marion Council 671, additional event sponsors, donors and countless volunteers of this community for supporting and believing in The Peace and Freedom Committee. Your grants, donations, generosity, time, and belief in our mission have made a lasting impact. Though The Peace and Freedom Committee is dissolving, the spirit of our mission will live on in the lives we’ve touched. Thank you for being part of our journey.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Lora Troutman, President
Members of The Peace and Freedom Committee
[email protected]

06/26/2026

Join us for a vibrant celebration at the Black Joy SummerFest, hosted by Marion Voices, taking place tomorrow, June 27, 2026, from 12pm to 5pm, as we commemorate Juneteenth with a powerful expression of community, hope, and resilience.

06/04/2026

Your type saves lives. Please donate blood on June 12th 💉🩸

04/28/2026

What an unforgettable afternoon at The Peace and Freedom Committee’s 12th Hats Off Ladies Luncheon last Saturday!

We are still overwhelmed with gratitude as we reflect on the incredible success of this year’s event. From the moment guests arrived, the room was filled with elegance, joy, and sisterhood. The beautiful turnout was truly a testament to the strength and support of our community.

The ladies looked absolutely stunning in their hats and attire, bringing grace, style, and vibrant energy to the celebration. Our speaker was nothing short of phenomenal, delivering words that inspired, uplifted, and empowered everyone in attendance. And of course, the food was fabulous, adding the perfect touch to an already amazing experience.

Thank you to every person who attended, supported, and helped make this luncheon such a memorable occasion. Events like these remind us of the power of coming together in unity, purpose, and celebration.

Thank you for helping us make The Hats Off To You Ladies Luncheon another remarkable success! ❤️

04/21/2026

ONLY A FEW DAYS LEFT TO GET YOUR TICKETS!

PRE-SALE ONLY

Join us for an empowering celebration at the PFC's 12th Annual Hats Off to You Ladies Luncheon, where we honor the remarkable women shaping our community. Our speaker this year will be Tamika Vinson-Reid.

Secure your spot today and be part of this special event by purchasing tickets through one of three easy methods:

1. Scanning the QR code
2. Clicking https://square.link/u/nAXwQLTh
3. Reaching out to our team representatives on the flyer

We are so grateful for the support of our valued sponsors, Ohio Health and United Way of North Central Ohio.

04/19/2026

Come join us for fun day!

Marion Matters, Inc. and The Peace & Freedom Committee will be celebrating Marion City’s westside for America 250 by gathering for a block party with local businesses, schools, nonprofits, and residents. Food will be served at noon and a interactive historic map will be available to mark the past home owners, businesses, and economy landmarks. Please join us at Martin Luther King Jr Park from 11am to 2pm on Saturday, June 13th for food, music, inflatables, knowledge, and community.